INDIE ALBUM OF THE WEEK
Steve Kilbey and his Churchmen continue their prolonged cosmic journey with almost evangelical zeal.Of Skins And Heartemerged in 1981 and since that time there have been records bearing The Church moniker on an almost annual basis.
That makes for a lot of records and songs. Kilbey has over 700 songs registered with APRA, and undoubtedly even he would be pressed to name each one. Further/Deeper provides no surprises, just more of the quintessential Church psychedelic renditions stretching over 12 songs with almost biblical numerology.
No longer part of the crew is Marty Willson-Piper, one of the pillars of the band along with Kilbey, Peter Koppes and Tim Powles. His position has been taken by former Powderfinger man Ian Haug, and it is almost a hand-to-glove fit. Kilbey sounds as sincere as ever, and despite the familiarity of the palate, The Church are still ferocious when the need arises. Importantly, they do not grate. Lyrically, from ‘Vanishing Man’ onwards the listener feels like they are being led toward a divine spark at the behest of the knowing few.
The organic nature of ‘Laurel Canyon’ almost renders the tune a quaint period piece, but ambience and continuing stimulation between the band members evidences that after all these years and some wrong turns and stumbles, The Church are still heading somewhere.
4/5.
Further/Deeperis out now through Unorthodox /MGM.
